BLM Rock Springs Opens Scoping on Desolation Road Natural Gas Project

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Rock Springs Field Office is launching at least a 30-day public scoping period prior to preparing an environmental analysis on a proposal by Samson Resources to develop up to three new natural gas wells on a single well pad in the Desolation Road Unit.

The Desolation Road 11-34V project encompasses approximately 61 acres of primarily federal land, with a small amount of privately owned land, about 35 miles northwest of Baggs, Wyo. in Sweetwater County. The proposal includes constructing one well pad with one vertical drilled well at a depth of roughly 10,600 feet depending on the geologic formation. If the well produces enough natural gas to become economically feasible, further development would include up to two exploratory horizontally drilled wells, upgrading an existing access road, pipeline, and associated production facilities. The improved access road and pipeline would be co-located and would tie into an existing road and pipeline to minimize surface disturbance. The maximum surface disturbance is anticipated to be approximately 61 acres. The wells would be developed during the next three years, with the life of the project anticipated to be between 40 to 50 years.

The proposed project is located roughly one mile outside the Adobe Town Wilderness Study Area, is within designated pronghorn antelope crucial winter range, as well as potential habitat for raptors and mountain plover. The project area is also within a class II visual resource management area, so low profile holding tanks and camouflage paint colors would be utilized to help the development blend into and retain the characteristics of the natural landscape.

Written comments will be accepted until Sept. 20. Comments may be emailed to BLM_WY_Desolation_Road_APD@blm.gov (please include “Desolation Road Scoping” in the subject line), faxed to (307) 352-0329, or mailed to the Bureau of Land Management, Rock Springs Field Office, Desolation Road Scoping, 280 Highway 191 North, Rock Springs, WY 82901.

Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the individual listed below during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the below individuals. You will receive a reply during normal business hours.

Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, be advised that your entire comment – including your personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold from public review your personal identifying information, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

For further information, please contact Spencer Allred at (307) 352-0325.

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of Americas public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. In Fiscal Year 2015, the BLM generated $4.1 billion in receipts from activities occurring on public lands.